Dubai: Title sponsors Nissan Middle East have joined forces with the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) as one of the sponsors of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge Powered by Nissan.
Nissan’s sponsorship of the Desert Challenge guarantees wide-ranging support for the event, including the supply of a fleet of Nissan Patrols used by the ATCUAE’s route planning team to map out the competitive special stages that cut through the dunes of the Al Dafrah region. Kalyana Sivagnanam, president, Nissan Middle East and regional vice-president of Africa, Middle East and India signed the new sponsorship agreement with Mohammad Bin Sulayem, president of the ATCUAE and FIA vice-president for sport.
“Nissan, and the Nissan Patrol as the official car for the event, have become synonymous with the Desert Challenge over the years, and we are very happy to extend the very close working partnership we enjoy with the ATCUAE,” said Sivagnanam.
“We’re proud of the role we have played alongside the national motorsport authority in developing the event’s status and reputation on the international stage, in the process showcasing the appeal of Abu Dhabi and the deserts of the Al Dafrah Region.”
Bin Sulayem, who founded the Desert Challenge in 1991, commented: “Long-running partnerships like the one we have with Nissan Middle East are so rare in rallying, and their consistent support has been vital to keep the event at the top in the World Cup series.”
“We’re fortunate to have the support of a leading manufacturer which shares our enthusiasm for the sport, and like us is committed to making sure it’s future is secure.”
